Relevance, 35th Anniversary Exhibition II
As a photographer, I do not alter scenes, but rather intentionally seek out unintentional still-lives or tableaus, as they exist within spaces. There is a formal compositional structure that is captured with the camera and my affinity for minimalism is emphasized by this formal structure. But within the structural formality something is skewed, unexpected or ambiguous.
My work has ranged from images exploring the effect of light and shadow on three-dimensional forms to highly ambiguous images of contrasting relationships of form, light, and texture. I use photography to explore a wide range of images and technical approaches with the elusive common thread being a recurring interest in the emotional aspect of visual contradiction.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Pamela Venz received her BA degree in sculpture and photography from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1983 and an MFA degree in Studio Art from The Ohio State University in 1985.
Digital photograph, archival pigment print
42 x 34 in.
She joined the faculty at Birmingham-Southern College in 1988 at which time she began work designing the curriculum for a new photography concentration for the department of art implemented in 1998. From 2006-1010 she served as the Chair of the Department of Art and Art History and in 2009 was promoted to Full Professor.
Her work includes both photography and sculpture and has been exhibited locally in galleries around Birmingham, accepted into 25 national juried exhibitions since 1990, 18 invitational exhibitions and over 30 one person and group exhibitions across the country. In 2006 and 2007 her photographs were included in two different exhibitions in the Czech Republic. Her work has been recognized with awards including an Alabama State Council on the Arts Artist Fellowship in 2004, a 2nd Place award at the Dogwood Arts Festival Regional Fine Art Exhibition in 2014, and the Dilaura Award in the 2021 Montgomery Art Guild Museum Exhibition, a 2018 Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award from the Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, as well as several Faculty Development awards from Birmingham-Southern College supporting both photographic projects and course development.
Space One Eleven Involvement: Exhibiting Artist: Perspectives 2010